Governor Kathy Hochul announced she has appointed state Attorney General Letitia James to investigate the original allegations and why a police report omitted crucial information, according to sources at the governor's office.
The case, which involves a woman who said she was raped at a Cornell fraternity house in 2024, was reopened by prosecutors recently. No charges have been filed against any of the accused men, and all have denied wrongdoing.
The developments have sparked renewed anger about how colleges handle sexual assault cases. A related lawsuit alleging rape at Cornell has led to an outpouring of women sharing stories about sexual violence on college campuses, according to reports.
Many alumni and some prospective parents are rethinking their relationship with the university. However, as one admissions consultant noted, "Prestige is a powerful draw."
Students interviewed on campus expressed concern about the handling of the case, though specific details of the police report omission remain under investigation.